Unseen: The Gift of Being Hidden in a World That Loves to Be Noticed - Hagerty, Sara Review & Synopsis

 Synopsis

Every heart longs to be seen and understood. Yet most of our lives is unwitnessed. We spend our days working, driving, parenting. We sometimes spend whole seasons feeling unnoticed and unappreciated. So how do we find contentment when we feel so hidden?

In Unseen, Sara Hagerty suggests that this is exactly what God intended. He is the only One who truly knows us. He is the only One who understands the value of the unseen in our lives. When this truth seeps into our souls, we realize that only when we hide ourselves in God can we give ourselves to others in true freedom-and know the joy of a deeper relationship with the God who sees us.

Our culture applauds what we can produce, what we can show, what we can upload to social media. Only when we give all of ourselves to God-unedited, abandoned, apparently wasteful in its lack of productivity-can we live out who God created us to be. As Hagerty writes, "Maybe my seemingly unproductive, looking-up-at-Him life produces awe among the angels."

Through an eloquent exploration of both personal and biblical story, Hagerty calls us to offer every unseen minute of our lives to God. God is in the secret places of our lives that no one else witnesses. But we've not been relegated to these places. We've been invited.

We may be "wasting" ourselves in a hidden corner today: The cubicle on the fourth floor. The hospital bedside of an elderly parent. The laundry room. But these are the places God uses to meet us with a radical love. These are the places that produce the kind of unhinged love in us that gives everything at His feet, whether or not anyone else ever proclaims our name, whether or not anyone else ever sees.

God's invitation is not just for a season or a day. It is the question of our lives: "When no one else applauds you, when it makes no sense, when you see no results-will you waste your love on Me?"

Review

Sara Hagerty is the author of the critically-acclaimed Every Bitter Thing Is Sweet, a wife to Nate, and a mother of six, including four children adopted from Ethiopia and Uganda, a brand new babbling babe, and one toddler who's found his voice amid them all. Sara writes regularly about life-delays, finding God in the unlikely, motherhood, marriage and adoption at SaraHagerty.net."It's easy to get lost in the shuffle of life, the never ending to-do list, all the things that call us away from Him. Sara's writing always brings me back to the God that sees me. This book is a gift to those of us longing to find our way back to Him." 

-Jennie Allen

Founder of IF: Gathering and Author of "Nothing to Prove"

"This is a book for the one who feels invisible, for the soul who feels like her every day acts of service go unnoticed, for the restless heart that longs to live in the fullness of life with Jesus. Unseen put into words something God has been teaching my heart for a very long time - that His tender gaze on us is the only one worth vying for. Sara's writing is exquisite as always, leading us to the feet of Jesus. She's vulnerable, raw, honest and wise, and her words remind us that there is purpose in everything we do, and nothing goes unnoticed the God who loves us and delights in us."-Katie Davis MajorsAuthor of "Kisses from Katie" and "Daring to Hope"

"What I love most about Sara's book are the glimpses into her friendship with God. Listening in on some of their conversations will call your heart, as it did mine, to want more time with Him; to find your security, peace and rest in His approval, His presence alone. Hear His voice, see Him at work in these beautiful stories."-Barbara RaineyWife of Dennis Rainey and mom of six married children. Co-founder of FamilyLife, author of Letters to My Daughters, The Art of Being a Wife, blogger and creator of EverThineHome, the holiday and home collection from FamilyLife.

"What a beautiful gift Sara has given us, yet again! 'Unseen' is an invitation back into the blessed center of what you and I were made for. To become fully alive in the practice of being seen by God, and lo and behold, it's more than enough. This, my friends, is a message we must herald!"-Christy NockelsSongwriter, worship artist, "The Glorious in the Mundane" Podcast

"In a world that constantly shouts and strives to be seen, Sara Hagerty shares a shimmering secret: we come alive in the unseen. This heart journey into hiddenness will usher you to a place of newfound identity and intimacy with God."-Allen ArnoldAuthor of "The Story of With"

Unseen

How do we find contentment in God when we feel so hidden? Sara Hagerty unfolds the truths found in the biblical story of Mary of Bethany to discover the scandalous love of God and explore the spiritual richness of being hidden in him. Every heart longs to be seen and understood. Yet most of our lives is unwitnessed. We spend our days working, driving, parenting. We sometimes spend whole seasons feeling unnoticed and unappreciated. In Unseen, Sara Hagerty suggests that this is exactly what God intended. He is the only One who truly knows us. He is the only One who understands the value of the unseen in our lives. When this truth seeps into our souls, we realize that only when we hide ourselves in God can we give ourselves to others in true freedom--and know the joy of a deeper relationship with the God who sees us. Our culture applauds what we can produce, what we can show, what we can upload to social media. Only when we give all of ourselves to God--unedited, abandoned, apparently wasteful in its lack of productivity--can we live out who God created us to be. As Hagerty writes, "Maybe my seemingly unproductive, looking-up-at-Him life produces awe among the angels." Through an eloquent exploration of both personal and biblical story, Hagerty calls us to offer every unseen minute of our lives to God. God is in the secret places of our lives that no one else witnesses. But we've not been relegated to these places. We've been invited. We may be "wasting" ourselves in a hidden corner today: The cubicle on the fourth floor. The hospital bedside of an elderly parent. The laundry room. But these are the places God uses to meet us with a radical love. These are the places that produce the kind of unhinged love in us that gives everything at His feet, whether or not anyone else ever proclaims our name, whether or not anyone else ever sees. God's invitation is not just for a season or a day. It is the question of our lives: "When no one else applauds you, when it makes no sense, when you see no results--will you waste your love on Me?"

In Unseen, Sara Hagerty suggests that this is exactly what God intended. He is the only One who truly knows us. He is the only One who understands the value of the unseen in our lives."

The Unseen

The Unseen is based on a gripping true story of faith, hope and determination. Zara Heart is the daughter of a Syrian Millionaire, who immigrated to England. A fatal accident occurs, and an Angel informs Zara that she will die at six-thirty on May 14th at the young age of thirty-six. Zara has seven days left, the Angel, D.A., forces her to witness her tragic past once more. He splits her life up into seven parts, hence, seven days. She has no other choice but to spectate the nightmare she tried to forget and put behind her all these years. D.A.'s primary aim is for Zara to be at peace with her past before dying. Will Zara ever understand why she was forced to marry someone she never loved? Are seven days enough for Zara to come to terms with losing the unimaginable - her children?

The Unseen is based on a gripping true story of faith, hope and determination. Zara Heart is the daughter of a Syrian Millionaire, who immigrated to England."

The Read-Aloud Family

Discover practical strategies to make reading aloud a meaningful family ritual. The stories we read--and the conversations we have about them--help shape family traditions, create lifelong memories, and become part of our legacy. Reading aloud not only has the power to change a family--it has the power to change the world. But we all know that connecting deeply with our families can be difficult in our busy, technology-driven society. Reading aloud is one of the best ways to be fully present with our children, even after they can read themselves, but it isn't always easy to do. Discover how to: Prepare your kids for academic success through reading to them Develop empathy and compassion in your kids through books Find time to read aloud in the midst of school, sports, and dinner dishes Choose books across a variety of sibling interests and ages Make reading aloud the best part of your family's day The Read-Aloud Family also offers age-appropriate book lists from infancy through adolescence. From a toddler's wonder to a teenager's resistance, you will find the inspiration you need to start a read-aloud movement in your own home.

While crafting his Wilderking trilogy , Jonathan Rogers said he nearly created a swamp goblin, just to liven things up and keep things interesting. He decided not to when his wife posed the question, “Why would you have a swamp goblin ..."

White Picket Fences

A Gentle Invitation into the Challenging Topic of Privilege The notion that some might have it better than others, for no good reason, offends our sensibilities. Yet, until we talk about privilege, we’ll never fully understand it or find our way forward. Amy Julia Becker welcomes us into her life, from the charm of her privileged southern childhood to her adult experience in the northeast, and the denials she has faced as the mother of a child with special needs. She shows how a life behind a white picket fence can restrict even as it protects, and how it can prevent us from loving our neighbors well. White Picket Fences invites us to respond to privilege with generosity, humility, and hope. It opens us to questions we are afraid to ask, so that we can walk further from fear and closer to love, in all its fragile and mysterious possibilities.

But it also helps us believe that in a world so often torn by violence and indifference, love can still have the last ... SARA HAGERTY , author of Unseen : The Gift of Being Hidden in a World That Loves to Be Noticed Renouncing privilege ..."

The Flirtation Experiment

From popular Christian voices Lisa Jacobson and Phylicia Masonheimer, The Flirtation Experiment inspires you to strengthen your marriage with a fun, unexpected approach that leads to the depth, richness, and closeness you desire. Romance novels, Hallmark movies . . . the immense demand for romantic stories reveals a deep, unsatisfied longing that can be found in many marriages, but does it have to be that way? Is it possible that the best marriage has to offer can grow, rather than fade after you say “I do”? Lisa and Phylicia say, “Absolutely yes!” So what is the secret to a happy, thriving, loving marriage, where the fire of romance and close friendship do not fade? While The Flirtation Experiment includes the frisky side of marriage, it’s far more than a good romp. By degrees, each chapter takes you to a deeper place, covering themes every beautiful marriage has in common, such as covenant, healing, and hope. After reading The Flirtation Experiment, wives will be filled with hope and encouragement for how they can make a powerful, positive change in their marriages, become empowered to pursue their husbands romantically, understand the Bible invites women to be proactive in their marriages, be motivated to consistently love in creative ways, and forge closeness and intimacy in their marriages. “Intentional flirting keeps a positive lightness in the atmosphere and improves our overall communication,” says Jacobson. “My light flirtations bring us closer in meaningful ways and lead to connection on a deeper level. It helps us discover true romance waiting for us in everyday situations.” Perfect for the wife who wants romance, passion, and the closeness that only comes from a deep heart connection but isn’t sure where to start, The Flirtation Experiment is a candid, real-life record of two Christian women from different seasons of life who discovered they could make a significant impact on their marriage relationships, one small flirtatious experiment at a time. Readers can go deeper by using The Flirtation Experiment Workbook.

Phylicia & Lisa have given both young and old marriages a gift in these pages. At twenty years in, I'm taking notes.” — Sara Hagerty , bestselling author, UNSEEN : THE GIFT OF BEING HIDDEN IN A WORLD THAT LOVES TO BE NOTICED and ADORE “If ..."

Every Woman a Theologian

Know what you believe and live it boldly! Phylicia Masonheimer believes that every woman should be a theologian and a student of the heart of God. Learn the basics of theology and why it's so important to continue your biblical education one step at a time. Discover how deeper scriptural knowledge can help you navigate the world, answer your toughest questions, and engage culture in loving ways. All of us have guiding principles at work behind our choices, even if we don't realize it. We hold beliefs about the world, ourselves, and God—beliefs perhaps we may have adopted unknowingly based on experience or culture's messages. But God has revealed Himself through Scripture so it can transform how we view and navigate the world—how we think, act, love, work, marry, and parent. When we do that, we become theologians. No, we're not wearing tweed suits or giving lectures; we're driving to our corporate job every morning, or juggling babies on our own, or connecting with our communities. We are women who want to know who God is and how He answers our toughest questions. Through engaging stories and compelling truths, Every Woman a Theologian will help you: Identify your existing beliefs about God, salvation, and the Christian life Learn how to lovingly communicate Christian truths to those who disagree Understand theological concepts without feeling overwhelmed Grow closer to the heart of God Step in that direction with Phylicia Masonheimer as your guide, and you will grow as a woman able to discern truth, who knows what she believes, and who lives her faith boldly in a post-Christian world.

Her wise words cut through the confusion surrounding theology and give us the gift of clarity. ... — Sara Hagerty , bestselling author of UnSeen : the Gift of BeinG hidden in A world thAt loveS to Be notiCed and Adore “Every Woman a ..."

Adore

For anyone who longs to experience God in the thick of life's demands, Sara Hagerty's Adore offers a simple, soul-nourishing practice for engaging with God in the middle minutes of your day. None of us signed up for a conventional experience with the unconventional God, yet too often the spiritual life can become routine, dare we say, even boring. In Adore, Sara Hagerty gives us all permission to admit "I barely know You, God," and with this honest admission, to scoot a little nearer to this familiar stranger. Adoration is the simple practice Sara discovered for starting where you are, and letting the grit of your day greet the beauty of God's presence. Adoration is for the woman who feels frenzied and fearful in the middle minutes of her day. It is a simple practice for 7:37 a.m. when the children are waking and the dryer is already humming but also for the 12:17 p.m. lunch break and for 5:53 p.m. while stuck in traffic. Adoration is the place where we put how we feel in front of God's Word, and watch what happens to our insides. It's what you were made for. Join Sara in this soul-stirring journey through thirty attributes of God which you can walk through at your own pace. Learn how the simple habit of adoration--in the middle minutes of your day--can help you see God with fresh eyes, and talk to Him right there. Experience a new way of engaging with God in your everyday. Adore will show you how.

Other Books by Sara Hagerty Every Bitter Thing Is Sweet: Tasting the Goodness of God in All Things Unseen : The Gift of Being Hidden in a World That Loves to Be Noticed ADORE A SIMPLE PRACTICE FOR EXPERIENCING GOD IN THE MIDDLE."

The Triumph of Beauty

Discover Hope--and the Heart of Jesus--for the Days Ahead The world is angry and afraid. Humankind is on a trajectory away from God, against His Church and into increasing darkness--with the darkest hours still ahead. Yet the Father has an unexpected and compassionate answer for the rise of ugliness and violence: a beautiful unified Church of wholehearted followers of Jesus who will put Him on full display for all the world to see. In these pages you'll discover how to become part of a Church that counters anger with kindness and mercy, loves its enemies, overcomes bitterness and offense, and lays hold of the Lord's beauty via revelation and transformation. When we--as a united Body and as individual members--do these things, we will love as He loves. We will endure without despair as we boldly and lovingly stand for His truth. And together we will rise up as His Bride whose beauty eclipses the darkness. "I cannot more highly recommend this deeply insightful book."--JOEL RICHARDSON, New York Times bestselling author, teacher "This book will give you a vision for being immersed in a love so expansive that every longing to be known is satisfied. "--BOB SORGE, author, Secrets of the Secret Place "David inspires confidence in the excellent leadership of Jesus, equipping us to grow in our love for Him and His people."--MIKE BICKLE, founder, International House of Prayer

God's Radiant Answer for the World's Growing Darkness David Sliker ... Sara Hagerty , bestselling author, Unseen : The Gift of Being Hidden in a World That Loves to Be Noticed and Adore: A Simple Practice for Experiencing God in the ..."

Quiet

"In Quiet, Naomi Vacaro offers hope and a unique solution for creating (and maintaining) a quiettime habit. By exploring personal stories and offering helpful insights, Naomi shows you that having daily time with God is simple, attractive, and achievable, no matter what season of life you're in."--Page [4] of cover.

In our fast-paced world , having a regular quiet time can often feel more like a burden than a delight. ... SARA HAGERTY Bestselling author of Unseen : The Gift of Being Hidden in a World that Loves to Be Noticed and Adore: A Simple ..."

Don't Miss Out

"Prepare to be blown away by what the Holy Spirit can do in and through you! If you want to experience all of God, don't miss out on this book!"--PAULA FARIS, author of Called Out "A must-read for anyone who feels a bit alone, not enough, unable, and not up to the task at hand."--ALYSSA BETHKE, author of Spoken For 30 Incredible Benefits of the Holy Spirit's Presence in Your Life. Have I settled for less than everything God has for me? As a lifelong follower of Jesus, Jeannie Cunnion wrestled with this question and was surprised to realize that she'd been missing out on living in the power of the Holy Spirit! Discovering the significance of the Spirit's work in her life lit a fire in Jeannie's soul--and became the message she tucked into these pages for you. Through winsome and tender storytelling, Jeannie will: · Reveal why Spirit-help is far superior to self-help · Equip you to activate the Spirit's power in your daily life · Guide you into deeper intimacy with Jesus · Show you how the Holy Spirit champions you Through Jesus, God set us free. Through His Spirit, God keeps us free. Don't Miss Out is a life-changing invitation to experience the essential work of the Holy Spirit-- in you!

— Sara Hagerty , bestselling author of Adore and Unseen : The Gift of Being Hidden in a World That Loves to Be Noticed “I was absolutely blown away, encouraged, and inspired by this book. In Don't Miss Out, my dear friend Jeannie Cunnion ..."

Praying the Scriptures for Your Children 20th Anniversary Edition

This expanded edition of the bestseller features updated content on issues like technology and identity, and comes with new material designed to invite children into the family prayer circle. There is no need we will face in parenting--or that our kids will confront in their lives--that God has not already thought of, and provided for, in his Word. And there can be no greater privilege than partnering with him, through our prayers, to accomplish his best purposes in the lives of the people we love. But where to begin? In this updated and expanded edition celebrating the twentieth anniversary of a modern classic, you will discover how using the Bible to shape your desires and requests opens the door to God's provision--and frees us from things like worry and fear in our parenting! It teaches you how and what to pray for your child(ren) in the following areas: faith character safety relationships the future Plus, all-new material includes sections on praying for a child's sense of identity, praying for their use of technology, and building a prayer legacy with specific strategies and a collection of child-friendly Bible verses designed to help children anchor their hope in God's Word.

our It's obvious to any well- meaning parent that children need our care, our guidance and wisdom, our love , ... SARA HAGERTY , bestselling author of Unseen : The Gift of Being Hidden in a World That Loves to Be Noticed and Adore Many ..."

Friend-ish

For so many of us, our friends are like family members--we lean on them through our highest highs and our lowest lows--but sometimes those friendships don't turn out quite as we hoped. Bible teacher Kelly Needham debunks our world's constricted, narrow view of friendship and casts a richer, more life-giving, biblical vision for friendship. In Friend-ish, Kelly Needham reminds us that we were called to more than halfhearted friendships and lukewarm connections. We need something more stable, secure, and sacred. We were designed for real friendship--but the difficult truth is that too many of us are settling for less. Kelly deconstructs what Scripture says about the gift of friendship and takes a closer look at the distorted view that most of us have instead. As she shares the lessons she's learned from experience, Kelly paints her own glorious vision of what Christian friendship could look like. With hard-fought wisdom, a clear view of Scripture, and a been-there perspective, Friend-ish teaches us how to: Recognize symptoms of idolatry and toxic dependency Boldly ask for what we need from our community of friends Understand and address the problems that arise in friendship--from neediness to discord Recognize when it's time to end an unhealthy friendship Reorient toward the purposeful, loving relationships we all crave that ultimately bring us closer to God Find the friends you need and start to become that friend for others Join Kelly as she challenges you to view your chosen family in a new light, gain a vision of friendship according to Jesus, and finally enjoy friendships as God intended.

So, I love the big, God-soaked vision of friendship Kelly Needham paints in Friend-ish. ... — SARA HAGERTY , BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF UNSEEN : THE GIFT OF BEING HIDDEN IN A WORLD THAT LOVES TO BE NOTICED AND EVERY BITTER THING IS SWEET ..."

Reset

 Sara Hagerty , author of Every Bitter Thing is Sweet and Unseen : The Gift of Being Hidden in a World that Loves to be Noticed Everyone values the importance of prayer, and we all want to pray in a significant way."

The Lifegiving Parent

In The Lifegiving Parent, respected authors and parents Clay and Sally Clarkson explore eight key principles--heartbeats of lifegiving parenting--to shed light on what it means to create a home where your children will experience the living God in your family. Now parents of four grown children--each with their own unique personality and gifts--Sally and Clay have learned (sometimes the hard way!) that the key to shaping a heart begins at home as you foster a deep and thoughtful God-infused relationship with each child. Filled with biblical insight and classic Clarkson stories, The Lifegiving Parent will equip you with the tools and wisdom you need to give your children much more than just a good Christian life. You'll give them the life of Christ.

At the heart of this book is a fundamental truth many Christian parenting books overlook--the life of God. The Lifegiving Parent is about what we did to bring God's life into our home for our children to see and believe."

Calming Angry Kids

Slammed doors. Hurting hearts. Tricia Goyer knows what it’s like to parent children with chronic anger. In Calming Angry Kids, Goyer draws on her own experience to help readers understand what’s going on in a child’s brain focus on relationship over rules teach a child how to handle frustrations without outbursts control how they express their own anger establish a standard of respect in the home Including reflection questions and action steps at the end of each chapter, Calming Angry Kids shows weary parents that peace in their home is within reach.

Read them and sigh with gratitude and relief, like I did.” — Sara Hagerty , author of Every Bitter Thing Is Sweet and Unseen : The Gift of Being Hidden in a World that Loves to be Noticed “Oh, weary parent, you know the pain, guilt, ..."

And Yet, Undaunted

Life is hard. We often find ourselves walking through stories that don’t feel like they should be ours. And yet here we are. We wonder where our good God is in the midst of it. But we are not left without hope. In fact—we have the greatest hope of all. Through vulnerable stories and rich insight, Paula Rinehart and Connally Gilliam point to the Larger Story that carries all the anxiety, longing, and beauty of your life. The backdrop of the big gospel story—creation (how life ought to be), the fall (how life is), redemption (how life can be), and restoration (how life will be one day)—gives context to our lives and hope for walking forward. The grand story of the gospel of Jesus Christ frames our every step. Discover renewed strength and joy in the middle of your ache . . . and the goodness of God that will give you the courage to remain yet undaunted.

 SARA HAGERTY , bestselling author of Unseen : The Gift of Being Hidden in a World That Loves to Be Noticed and Every Bitter Thing Is Sweet In their lovely new book, And Yet, Undaunted, coauthors Paula Endorsements."

Cultivating the Souls of Parents

Broken people raising other broken people? This is parenting after the Fall. Ever wish God could snap His fingers and make your kids behave? Or make you an expert? God often seems distant, yet when we take the time to pause, we can sense Him gently working in our families and us. While we condemn ourselves for feeling emotionally burn-out or making poor choices that affect our kids, He is whispering, "I know it's hard, but I am with you! I see you are trying, and I am your guide! You made a mistake, and I forgive you! I love you, and I'm cheering you forward!" The process of parenting unveils our soul issues: insecurities, coping mechanisms, and even inherited weaknesses. Jesus Christ is our Vine (John 15:1), but sometimes we don't know how to tap into His peace-producing, energy-generating, transformative power. The journey towards soul health means learning how to tap into His sustaining power in a way that makes our daily crosses lighter.God wants us to bring our transparent and embarrassing shortcomings to His throne of grace. I hope you laugh more than cringe as I share stories of my life as a mom of six. I've learned that the process of learning how to love my kids well is one of the most worthwhile missions that I can undertake. The beauty of parenting can be a process of brutally naked surrender to God, who affirms our efforts and gives us courage on a journey for which none of us are prepared.

Cultivating the Souls of Parents offers a comprehensive roadmap to the secret treasure buried in all of parenting: the opportunity for unparalleled personal growth and transformation.- Rev."

Judy Moody

Third grader Judy Moody is in a first day of school bad mood until she gets an assignment to create a collage all about herself and begins creating her masterpiece, the Me collage.

Third grader Judy Moody is in a first day of school bad mood until she gets an assignment to create a collage all about herself and begins creating her masterpiece, the Me collage."

Petualangan Detektif Dongeng

Orphans Sabrina and Daphne Grimm are sent to live with an eccentric grandmother that they have always believed to be dead.

Orphans Sabrina and Daphne Grimm are sent to live with an eccentric grandmother that they have always believed to be dead."